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Giant Leopard Moth caterpillar
Hypercompe scribonia
35.1784, -80.8486
Field Notes
Description:
Larva completely covered with quarter-inch black bristles. We first thought this was a Woolly Bear caterpillar or Isabella Tiger Moth (Pyrrharctia isabella) because they are more common here and there were no red bands or red spiracles that we could see on this specimen like we would expect to see on the Giant Leopard moth caterpillar. Both are about 5 cm long, black and fuzzy
Habitat:
crossing the sidewalk on the edge of a woodsy area on a warm day
Notes:
As a rule, it's best not to handle hairy caterpillars but this one is non-poisonous. Those that are poisonous have specialized hollow hairs when touched by us may break off, create a tiny scratch on our hand, and release a strong toxin into the nearly invisible wound. This process--called "urtication." Its like a bee sting, except that the poison is transmitted by a scratch rather than an injection. NOTE: both Hypercompe scribonia and Pyrrharctia isabellais are called Woolly Bears.
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